House Democrats pick Hakeem Jeffries to succeed Nancy Pelosi

CNN
—

Picked House Democrats caucus chair Hakeem Jeffreys From New York A win for Nancy Pelosi A historic move that would make him the first black person to lead one of the two major parties in Congress, the next year’s House Democratic leader.

House Democrats gathered behind closed doors on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning to make their decision.

Jeffries He ran unopposed As chairman, Massachusetts Rep. Catherine Clark, the current assistant speaker, whip, and California Rep. Peter Aguilar, previously the caucus’s vice chairman and expected to win the seat to lead the House Democratic Caucus.

Republicans hold a majority in the next Congress, so Jeffries, Clark and Aguilar will be leading the Democratic minority.

At 52, Jeffries will represent a generational shift from the current trio of House Democratic leaders who are three decades older than him. He became chairman of the Democratic Party in 2019, making him the youngest member to serve in the leadership role.

Her promotion comes after Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn announced they are stepping down from their current leadership positions. Clyburn is expected to become an assistant speaker in the new Congress.

Pelosi — who was unanimously named “Speaker Emerita” by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee on Tuesday night — blessed the new trio of leaders expected to succeed them in a statement when she announced she would step down and return to one position. -and-member of the new Congress.

“A new day is dawning — and I am confident that these new leaders will lead our caucus and Congress efficiently,” Pelosi said. said.

For months, Democratic lawmakers have whispered that Pelosi’s exit from Congress would pave the way for Jeffries.

Jeffries said he hopes to “lead an effort to center our communications strategy around the message principle that values ​​unite, issues divide.” He praised past leadership, but said “more must be done to fight inflation, protect our democracy, protect reproductive freedom, welcome new Americans, promote equal protection under the law and improve public safety across this country.”

This story and headline were updated Wednesday with additional updates.